Basketball

ABL: Door remains open for Brownlee’s return to Alab

Norman Lee Benjamin Riego on Dec 10, 2018 05:18 PM

Justin Brownlee may very well give Alab a great shot at a season sweep in the ABL

Alab Pilipinas was as good as advertised in just their first game in the 2018-2019 Asean Basketball League.

The Filipinos scared off visiting CLS of Indonesia by a score of 94-67 as returning reinforcement Renaldo Balkman picked up where he left off and new import PJ Ramos powered his way through anything and everything last Sunday.

Balkman wound up with 33 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and three blocks while Ramos had 20 markers, 13 boards, and five dimes.

With those two being both being forces, back-to-back Local MVP Ray Parks Jr. didn’t even have to do much with just 10 points and two assists.

Despite the resounding rout that showed off their new and improved firepower, the Filipinos could actually get even scarier.

Justin Brownlee, he who helped both Ginebra and Alab in winning championships, is not closing the door on another tour of duty.

“For sure, man, for sure,” he answered to reporters after getting asked if he will be ready and raring to suit up once more for the Philippines. “I hope so. It’s a great group of guys and it looks like they’re having fun out there.”

A year ago, it was Brownlee and Balkman’s entry that propelled the Filipinos to their breakthrough title.

Now, Brownlee’s return may very well push Alab to uncharted territory – whether that be historic back-to-back championships or a historic season sweep.

Of course, nothing is set in stone and before the beginning of the season, head coach Jimmy Alapag said they were “sticking with PJ and Balk.”

Still, just the thought that there’s a chance all of Brownlee, Balkman, Ramos, and Parks Jr. could be on the court together has got to send chills down the spines of opponents.